Environmental Geography and Professional Education

Course description

Geography is the integrated study of the world, its landscapes, places, people and their relationship with the environment. Geography seeks to make sense of the world we live in and is unique in bridging the environmental and social sciences. While Physical Geography and Human Geography are disciplines in their own right, Environmental Geography combines these subjects to provide a much needed capability to study and understand interactions between people, and between people and the environments in which they live. Environmental Geographers have expert knowledge and skills to research, analyse and communicate how the changing environment affects our lives. Their ability to visualise geographical issues at different spatial scales, from global to local and to offer solutions to some of our most pressing environmental problems, ensures that graduates in Environmental Geography are highly sought after by a wide range of employers. Year 1 focuses on the building of planet Earth (Geology) and the earth surface process at work in the evolution of our landscape (physical geography). Alongside these core earth science modules students are introduced to the pressing human-environment issues of the 21st century; global warming, water resources, pollution or loss of biodiversity, to name a few. In year two, the emphasis is on Ecology (biogeography) and the feeding of our hungry planet, including the essential systems of nutrient cycling for sustaining life in Earth. These modules provide the key field, analytical and statistical skills that are developed in the more advanced Honours modules. Year 1 and 2 students are also able to broaden their horizons by choosing options taught by specialists in their field from across the University of Stirling. In Years 3 and 4 research-led teaching provides a wide range of advanced modules, for example in environmental hazards, environmental change, sustainability, fluvial and glacial geomorphology, geographical information systems and remote sensing. All final-year students develop and apply their research skills through their Honours project, supported by their academic supervisor. Students may actively participate in national and international research programmes. Examples of recent projects include • Expansion of oil palm; a case study from Sabah, Malaysia • Reconstruction of landscape change in Tweeddale, Scottish Borders • Wind farms and their impact on the aviation industry
• A geoarchaeological investigation of Lumbini Village Mound, Nepal • The effect of global warming on carbon stocks in the sub-arctic, Abisko Sweden
• The potential of alternative food systems in achieving household food security Environmental Geography and Education (Secondary) provides graduates with a teaching qualification in Geography (and Modern Studies) as recognised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education is a unique degree course that combines the core elements of our Environmental Geography degree practical training in navigation, mountain hazards, outdoor safety and the design and delivery of outdoor programmes. Fieldwork is integrated throughout the course. Stirling makes an ideal location to study geography with ready access to the diverse landscapes of the Central Region and the Scottish Highlands. Residential field coursesare currently held in the Scottish Highlands in Years 2 and 3, and there is a choice of field courses to southern Spain or Iceland in Year 3 to introduce students to physical and human-environment issues in dynamic landscapes.

Subjects

• Teaching (secondary teaching)
• Environment (secondary teaching)
• Geography (secondary teaching)
• Teaching